When we were choosing a flagship location for EPP testing and coaching, Alexander Stadium wasn't a difficult decision. It is simply the finest athletic performance venue in the West Midlands — and one of the finest in the UK.
The Venue
Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2LR was rebuilt to a £72 million specification for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It hosted the Games opening ceremony and track and field events, bringing it to a World Athletics Category 1 certified standard — the same certification held by the venues for World Championship and Olympic athletics.
For context: a Category 1 certification means the track meets the highest international standards for surface quality, lane marking precision, and measurement accuracy. The same certification held by the London Stadium and the National Athletics Centre in Dublin.
The EPP Setup
EPP operates on the 3G artificial grass pitches at Alexander Stadium — the same pitches used by professional football training sessions and academy programmes. Our testing corridor uses Photon Sports timing gates installed on the pitch surface, with high-speed cameras positioned at multiple angles along the sprint lane.
The pitch surface and dimensions are consistent across sessions, which matters for longitudinal tracking. When an athlete retests at 8 or 12 weeks, we're measuring them on the same surface, in the same configuration, with the same equipment. The only variable that changes is the athlete.
Why Environment Matters
Performing in a world-class environment changes an athlete's output. Not dramatically, not measurably in a single session — but the psychological association between elite environments and elite performance is well-documented in sport psychology literature. Athletes who train and test in professional environments develop a different relationship with performance.
We believe every athlete across the West Midlands — from grassroots to semi-professional — deserves access to elite facilities and elite testing methodology. The price point (£65 for an assessment, £10 for group sessions) reflects that belief.
Getting There
Alexander Stadium is at Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 2LR. It is served directly by Perry Barr train station (Walsall Line, 6 minutes from Birmingham New Street). The 51 bus route from Birmingham city centre stops directly outside. Car parking is available on site.
We work with athletes from across the West Midlands — Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Solihull, Coventry, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth. The central Perry Barr location makes it accessible from most of the region within 30–40 minutes.
Get Your Athlete's Baseline Data
Everything discussed in this article is quantified in a single EPP assessment session. Sprint profiles, force-velocity data, jump analysis — all in 60–90 minutes at your nearest EPP venue across the West Midlands.
Book Assessment — £65 Free Discovery Call First